FIFA World Cup: Canada eliminated after the disappointing loss to Croatia

Alphonso Davies scored a spectacular goal in the second minute to boost Canada's hopes, but 2018 finalists Croatia played quality football and clinched an exciting comeback victory. 

After Qatar, Canada was the second country to be eliminated, as both teams lost their group matches. Croatia netted twice in each half and climbed to the top of the rankings with four points from two games. 

Andrej Kramaric scored in the 36th and 70th minutes to land a brace for Croatia, while Marko Livaja (44th) and substitute Lovro Majer (94th) scored after the break. 

Their opening draw against Morocco had raised concerns about their form, but Croatia responded with power. Kramaric and Marko Livaja scored before the break, ending Canada's chances of winning. 

Kramaric doubled his tally, and Lovro Majer scored in stoppage time to grab a win. Despite scoring the fastest goal this World Cup, Canada was no match for Croatia. 

After Davis' shocking goal that compensated for their goalless campaign in 1986, Croatia equalized in the 36th minute when Kramaric landed the ball in the far corner of the net.

Eight minutes later, Livaja sent a low right-footer from the edge after being assisted by Mateo Kovacic. Kramaric then converted a curling cross with his left foot and sent it into the bottom corner in the 70th minute.

Croatia's final goal arrived when Mislav Orsic squared for Livaja to convert. They need a draw in their last match to third-placed Belgium to proceed to the knockouts. 

Although the match ended in favor of Croatia, an ugly build-up saw the two nations entangled in verbal war. 

The Canada-Croatia controversy involving the two coaches

In an on-field interview, Canada's coach John Herdman said, "I told them they belong here. And we're going to go and F Croatia." He smiled as he used a single letter to avoid using public profanity. 

However, the Croatian coach didn't let it slide. "This way of putting words together is not a sign of respect," he responded. "The way we play, the way we behave and the way we respect all others are the reasons we are worthy of respect."

Croatian winger Ivan Perisic acknowledged his coach's sentiment. But more than Zlatko Dalić, Croatian football fans seem more affected by Herdman's remarks. 

As a consequence, Croatia's 24 Hours tabloid published a picture of a naked Herdman adorned with Maple Leaf flags alongside a questionable caption. 

However, Herdman reacted with a sense of humor and dismissed the post with a playful comment about his exposed belly in the picture. He even mentioned his son being a part of the Croatian club Dynamo's youth team and frequent visits to Zagreb.

"I travelled to Zagreb for three years for my son, and we waited 36 years for this," he said. "The way we work is important, our mission is important. We've waited 36 years to get here, there's no greater motivation than that."

"Excellent football is played in Croatia. One higher level, you are tactically great," Herdman signed off.